Friday, September 29, 2017

Metro's Customer Relations Manager, Crystal Edwards, helped organize a week-long employee celebration from Oct. 2-6 to support National Customer Service Appreciation Week. Some of the fun events included pizza and donut parties to honor of the many dedicated and hardworking Metro employees including operators, mechanics, clerks and customer service staff.

Customer Service Appreciation Week has been going on in the United States since the late 1980's. In 1992 the U.S. Congress proclaimed it a nationally recognized celebration to help boost morale and help support continued teamwork.

"This was a great opportunity to formally recognize the individuals that work so hard to deliver great service to our Metro customers on a daily basis," said Crystal. Congratulations to everyone on Team Metro - keep up the good work.

In support of the New York Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, the NFTA sponsored a Metro stuff a bus event as well as an internal authority-wide donation drive from Oct. 3-6. Some of the items collected included bottled water, batteries, flashlights, lanterns and hygiene products.

NFTA's Lisa Piecki, Mike Hernandez and Metro Operatorswith Members of the National Guard

Misael (Mike) Hernandez, co-organizer of the events and whom has family in Puerto Rico said, "This drive was an overwhelming success. The pride that came over me as our flagship Nova Bus rolled up to deliver our donations to the Connecticut Street Armory, was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Even the soldiers were amazed to see how stuffed the bus was, and I am grateful for their help in getting everything where it needs to go."

We would also like to send a special thank you to both Crowley Webb and the Church of Igelsia Pentecostal Camino De Santidad, Inc., who each held their own internal drives to support NFTA in our efforts - we are so grateful! Please go to NFTA's facebook page for more photos.

On September 17, Claudia Benitez, from Metro's Special Services Department, was walking into work like any other day. However, little did she know that she was going to be recognized as a heroine by the end of the day.

Transit Police Officer Dave Zarbo had encountered a distraught woman that morning and was attempting to assist her, however, she did not speak English. When Officer Zarbo saw Claudia, who is of Cuban descent and bilingual, he called out to her to see if she could help.

Without hesitation, Claudia walked over and started talking with the woman in her native language. After a heartfelt and successfully translated conversation, Crisis Services was called in and they were able to get the woman the help she needed. Officer Zarbo said, "Claudia was such an asset in dealing with the woman in crisis. She was respectful, caring and deserves a commendation for her tireless commitment to helping resolve a difficult situation."

Here's to teamwork -- Congratulations Dave and Claudia for a job well done!

Bruce Izard, an avid Metro Rail rider, joins NFTA as its new Manager of
Procurement Compliance. He comes to us from M&T Bank where he was
Assistant Vice President of Corporate Procurement. Bruce has a variety of
experience in managing procurement teams and evaluating proposals for the procurement
of goods and services.

He also has a background working on strategic
sourcing of HVAC, engineering services, and software and maintenance.

Bruce has a Bachelor’s degrees in both
Psychology and Management as well as an MBA with a concentration in Operations
Management. As a C.P.M. for 19 years, he also holds a PMP certification
in Project Management.

Bruce is a busy man - he currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors
at ISM Buffalo, a premier organization in WNY for continuous education of procurement and supply chain
professionals. Bruce also serves on the Board at PMI as Director of Finance. He is also on the Board for Sycamore Reservation, Inc.
which is a 432 Acre camp which straddles Erie and Cattaraugus Counties.

Bruce resides in Amherst with his wife Denise
who is a CPA. They have two daughters, Stephanie and Melanie.
Stephanie is working on her Master’s degree in Public Health, and Melanie on
her undergraduate degree in International Development. Pebbles is their
10-year-old cockapoo.

Bruce enjoys running, golf and on the
weekend. He also makes yard games such as Yardzee, Left, Right and Center, Corn
Hole and Washer Toss.

If you are interested in talking with him
about any of this, stop by and see him on the fifth floor.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Special thanks to Lemar Robinson, for helping us kick off our authority-wide HSEQ Safety Pit Crew Campaign. Lemar is a Mechanic B at the Cold Spring Shops, Safety Committee member, and Commercial Driver’s License Trainer for the Shops. Lamar has an outstanding safety record and his job in the upholstery shop means that's critical.

The first focus of the Pit Crew campaign is hand safety, the importance of following safe procedures, and making sure that you guard the valuable assets at the ends of your arms – your hands and ten fingers. Over the past few months, we have had employees involved in serious hand injuries – we want to make sure this does not happen again.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Welcome Cindy Cirbus who is NFTA' new Engineering/Property Administrative Assistant.

Cindy has a bachelor's degree in Economic/Finance from Buffalo State College. Prior to coming to NFTA she worked in finance at People, Inc. and before that she was with M&T investments.

Cindy and her husband Don live in Lackawanna and have two children, Ashley and Megan. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, especially Harry Potter novels. She also enjoys hockey and is a big Star Wars Fan.